UFC 131 Interview with Krzysztof Soszynski: "I'm Ready to Go 2-0 in Vancouver"

Krzysztof Soszynski is one physically tough Canadian, and on Saturday night we will see how tough he is mentally as well.

He will be taking on Mike Massenzio, who is his third different opponent announced since he was scheduled to fight on the UFC 131 card. These things happen in this sport, and a veteran like Soszynski will not be fazed by it. Bleacher Report MMA got a chance to talk to KSOS by phone this morning in Vancouver.

"It happens in this sport and I am fortunate that I am a veteran and have had to fight guys last minute before, I've had to pull out before, so it's nothing new. I'm just happy that I still have a fight this weekend," he said when asked about the last-minute shuffle.

"I'm ready and I have great training partners that have helped me get prepared. [Anthony] Perosh was a jiu-jitsu guy, then we went to more of a striker brawler in Igor [Pokrajac] and now Massenzio is a wrestler, but I have guys like Mark Munoz in my camp to help me there."

One thing that has bothered me about the UFC 131 card is where Soszynski's fight is placed on it. The card is in Canada and he is a top Canadian fighter, yet his fight is on the preliminary card and very early in the event. While these things happen with the talent level as it is in the UFC, fights like Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman and Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha should not be ahead on this card.

"You are the first reporter that has asked me that this week, and yes, I am upset at the UFC and Joe Silva right now," Soszynski said. "I feel like I have worked very hard in the UFC and put on great fights and I should be on a better spot on the card.

"Hopefully, after I beat Massenzio in decisive fashion they will take notice and I will get more consideration in the future.

"Bottom line is I am happy to be fighting and fighting in Canada. The fans love this sport, and fighting at UFC 87 in Canada was probably one of the best experiences I have had in my career. I have also fought in Vancouver before and won, so I am looking to go 2-0 in Vancouver."

I am looking for KSOS to beat Massenzio decisively and then move up the ladder to a better-known opponent by the end of 2011.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 131, including the latest UFC 131 results, fight card analysis, UFC 131 news and live reaction from Vancouver.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA (also a correspondent for MMACanada.net).

Catch him on Twitter @wakafightermma